“WE work for the people. We must never forget that,” the CNMI’s longest serving legislator said on Monday in the Senate chamber as he called for more oversight hearings.
Sen. Paul A. Manglona gives his inaugural address on Monday in the Senate chamber.
Photo by K-Andrea Evarose S. Limol
In his inaugural address, Independent Sen. Paul A. Manglona, who was first elected in 1987, said, “While the honor is mine in representing our people, this Senate seat is, as I have always said over the last 33 years, and as you have said once again, loud and clear, in the last election, belongs to the people we serve. It is the people’s seat,” he said.
He then mentioned some of the issues that the people of the Commonwealth are facing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This Covid-19 pandemic has presented our Commonwealth, just like everywhere else in the world, with extraordinary economic and public health challenges,” he said.
“We see many of our people sinking deeper into debt: our retirees losing sleep about their 25% pension, small businesses permanently shutting their doors or are in the process of closing up shop, our only hospital struggling to keep its lights on every month.
“To make matters worse, this pandemic has added to the many troubles facing our ‘golden goose’ casino and essentially accelerated its decline, as evident in its continued failure to pay its employees and debts, and now being held in contempt of court,” he added.
The senator said the people want “sunshine laws” to promote a more open and ethical government.
“Our people want better governance, more transparency, and full accountability. They want to know how their tax dollars and federal funds are spent to address the Commonwealth’s needs and priorities,” he said.
Manglona said the people “are demanding that their government deliver information in a way that creates transparency and demonstrates accountability.”
He added, “They want us to provide them with a way to see government plans for allocations of limited resources, plans on government spending, public services, and infrastructure.”
He said as a co-equal branch of government, the Legislature is expected to conduct more oversight hearings to ensure that it is a government that is “of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
Manglona, who was reelected in November, also expressed his gratitude to the people of the Commonwealth, “most especially the people of Rota,” for taking the time to share with him their concerns during his campaign journey.
He likewise thanked his family, friends, campaign team, the NMI Democratic Party, Kandit News Group, and Fuetsan Publiku.
“Every day for the next four years that I hold this office, I will continue to give my all to put the people first,” he added.
